If
you're tapped for an international assignment with your company, your
compensation should reflect the additional responsibilities and challenges.
In addition to higher base, don't forget to ask for incentives.

What
should my incentives be for international travel?

Q.
I am a software consultant at a relatively small firm (under 50
employees). Recently, the company entered into contracts with several
clients overseas and international travel will be required for me
for three weeks each month. Management has made it clear that salary,
rather than extra time off or other benefits, will be the main incentive
for work abroad. What should I expect in a salary increase?

A.If
the company were relocating you outside the United States, you could
expect it to provide you with additional incentives, such as a housing
allowance, a travel allowance, hazard pay (if you're traveling in
an unstable part of the world), and other related incentives. These
types of allowances are given so that you don't have to spend your
own income to meet the challenges of living outside the United States.

It
seems to me that your housing will be taken care of, because you'll
be traveling to different locations while you are away. But you
may still be able to negotiate for the travel allowance and hazard
pay.

In
terms of salary, expect the company to pay you between the 50th
and the 75th percentile, with an expense account. This is the appropriate
level of pay if your skills and knowledge of the job are above average
and you can function with minimal or no resources. Presumably, you
function at this level if you are being chosen for this assignment.